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Vehicle-to-Grid Charging for Electric Cars

Learn all you need to know about how bi-directional V2G charging works, and why it's important for sustainable energy systems.

491 enrolled on this course

Cartoon of an electric car plugged into a wall box, labelled 'V2G'
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
The CPD Certification Service

The content of the following ExpertTrack has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Explore the functions, applications, and potential of vehicle-to-grid charging

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging technology is gaining a lot of traction in the electric car industry. By allowing the charging and discharging of vehicles, it turns them into mobile energy storage assets. The combination of the changing way electricity is generated and the increasing uptake of electric cars means that V2G charging could significantly reduce both costs and emissions.

With that in mind, understanding how V2G technology works and can be used is simply good business sense. This three-week course, presented by Cenex, gives you the foundation you need to work within this exciting industry.

Get to grips with vehicle-to-grid fundamentals

On this course, you’ll learn V2G charging basics and the different situations where it can be used. You’ll gain a good understanding of why the technology is as important for electric car users as it is for the energy system, and of the industry’s current state of development.

Explore the possibilities of the vehicle-to-grid industry

Once you know how far V2G charging has developed, you’ll delve into how much it can grow. By identifying barriers to adopting V2G charging, where its emerging opportunities are, and when the technology is likely to mature, you’ll gain insights into the industry’s potential. Use these to start making shrewd business decisions, or as a foundation for future learning.

Trust the high quality of this Cenex course

Cenex (the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies)’s involvement in V2G charging research and demonstration goes back to 2016, from installing the UK’s first V2G charge points to delivering the world’s largest V2G trial in 2021. With over 15 years’ experience in low carbon transport and energy systems projects, the organisation is ideally suited to deliver this course.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is V2G?

    • Introduction to the Course & Week 1

      An introduction to Cenex and an overview of the course topics over the next three weeks.

    • Introduction to V2G

      Setting the context for V2G, including how it came about and the importance of its role in the wider energy system.

    • How V2G works

      A look at the architecture of V2G and the interactions that happen behind the scenes.

    • What can V2G do?

      You'll look at how V2G can be applied with some real world examples of practical bi-directional charging

  • Week 2

    Why V2G?

    • Introduction to the Week

      A summary of last week's key learning points and the topics of the week to come.

    • The Context for V2G

      The impact of increasing EV numbers and renewable energy generation on the electricity network.

    • Value Propositions

      V2G can benefit customers in lots of ways, here are 5 key value propositions for different use cases.

    • Wider Views of V2G

      Details of how customers have responded to using V2G and how it compares to alternative technology already on the market.

  • Week 3

    How to apply V2G

    • Introduction to Week 3

      A summary of last week's key learning points and the topics of the week to come.

    • State of Development

      Real world examples of V2G and the commercial opportunity of the technology.

    • Roadmap for V2G

      Exploring some of the key barriers to rolling out V2G and assessing its market readiness.

    • Final Test

      Put the knowledge you've learnt over the last 3 weeks to the test.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The content of the following ExpertTrack has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • To explore what V2G charging is and how it works.
  • To identify the different use cases for V2G charging.
  • To evaluate why V2G charging is important for customers and the energy system.
  • To explore the current state of development of V2G charging, including some example case studies.
  • To identify the current barriers to V2G charging, where the emerging opportunities lie and likely timescales for the technology to achieve commercial maturity.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone looking to understand more about the V2G and electric car industry. Private business owners, public administrators, electric car owners, and those interested in management positions will all find it invaluable.

Who will you learn with?

Greg is a Chartered Engineer and Energy Modeller. Starting in the Energy Industry, he is now the modelling and simulation lead at Cenex. He is an expert on V2G and flexibility services.

Who developed the course?

Cenex

Cenex was established as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies in 2005. Today, Cenex focuses on low emission transport & associated energy infrastructure and operates as an independent, not-for-profit research technology organisation and consultancy. We provide you with the insights and solutions that reduce pollution, increase efficiency and lower costs in the pursuit of a zero-carbon future.

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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